Picture Window
Ben Folds;Nick Hornby Lyrics

We checked into the hospital New Year's Eve
The singer went to the hospital on New Year's Eve.

Nothing to be done about that
There was nothing the singer could do about being in the hospital.

Rainbows, daffodils, she's not naive
The singer doesn't believe in abstract symbolism like rainbows and daffodils.

Symbolism's all crap
The artist thinks symbolism is worthless.

There's a big picture window in the room on the ward
There is a large window in the artist's hospital room.

With a view over Parliament Hill
The window looks out over Parliament Hill.

But the view offers more joy than they can afford
The view is nice but the singer is in a lot of pain.

When there's this much pain to kill
The artist is in a lot of pain.

You know what hope is
The artist is about to talk about what they think hope is.

Hope is a bastard
The artist thinks hope is a negative thing.

Hope is a liar, a cheat and a tease
The singer thinks hope is deceitful and frustrating.

Hope comes near you, kick its backside
The artist wants to avoid hope.

Got no place in days like these
The singer feels that hope is pointless given the current situation.

The dust, the darkness surrenders to color
The sky becomes colorful, likely due to fireworks.

As the fireworks streak the sky
Fireworks are exploding in the sky.

And their window gives them the prettiest picture
The view from the window is beautiful.

Their useless luck makes her want to cry
The artist is overcome with emotion.

Then it turns midnight
The clock strikes midnight.

The shitty whole year's spent
The singer is reflecting on the past year and thinks it was terrible.

Another mom deserves some sparkling wine
The artist feels like other people are having a better time than they are.

And she nearly gives into the moment
The artist almost allows herself to feel happy.

But he'll still be sick in two-thousand and nine
The artist's loved one is still sick and will remain sick into the new year.

And just as she's thinking
The singer is about to take action.

Of pulling the blind down
The artist is thinking about closing the blinds on the window.

A rocket bursts in front of her eyes
A firework goes off outside the window.

The city lit up, London's givin' her bright crown
The city of London looks beautiful.

She tries and fails to stop
The singer can't help but feel hopeful.

Spirits rise
The artist's mood improves.

You know what hope is
The artist is reminding the listener what they think hope is.

Hope is a bastard
The singer still thinks hope is a negative thing.

Hope is a liar, a cheat and a tease
The singer's opinion of hope hasn't changed.

Hope comes near you, kick its backside
The artist still wants to avoid hope.

Got no place in days like these
The artist feels that hope is pointless given the current situation.

You know what hope is
The artist is repeating themselves to emphasize their point.

Hope is a bastard
The singer still thinks hope is a negative thing.

Hope is a liar, a cheat and a tease
The artist's opinion of hope hasn't changed.

Hope comes near you, kick its backside
The singer still wants to avoid hope.

Got no place in days like these
The singer feels that hope is pointless given the current situation.

In days like these
The singer is referring to their present situation.